Spectacular Pollinators on Spectacle Island

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park

Come join us for a fun day exploring the amazing world of pollinators on Spectacle Island!

Spectacle Island

Did you know that ~80% of all plant life relies on insects and other animals for pollination? This is why pollinators are considered keystone species: because life as we know it would be impossible without them. Pollinators are at the very foundation of our ecosystems, and with all they've done for us, they deserve some recognition!So give pollinators their flowers and join us on Spectacle Island this labor day weekend for a pollinator event to close out the summer!Your ticket includes:<ul><li>Boat transportation to and from the islands (12:30pm ferry only)</li><li>"Meet our moths" porch talk w/ Teá Montagna</li><li>Guided Pollinator Safaris</li><li>Pollinator arts and crafts</li><li>Native seed giveaways</li><li>Hike with a Ranger</li><li>BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic)</li></ul>Come learn about and observe pollinators while you explore <a href="https://www.bostonharborislands.org/spectacle-island/" title="https://www.bostonharborislands.org/spectacle-island/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Spectacle island</a>, take a dip in the harbor, and enjoy everything else that Spectacle Island has to offer!

Join bee scientists Nick Dorian and Max McCarthy on a 30-minute pollinator safari to learn about the native pollinators of the Boston Harbor Islands! In this guided nature-walk you'll learn about these incredible insects, their life cycles, and how they do what they do!

About Nick: Nick Dorian is a post-doctoral researcher at Chicago Botanic Garden where he studies the ecology of pollinator gardens. He completed his Ph.D. at Tufts University on the population ecology of solitary bees. Nick also co-founded and ran the Tufts Pollinator Initiative which built capacity for pollinator conservation in the greater Boston area. Nick is a passionate educator and in 2022 gave a Tedx talk “We’re saving the wrong bees.” In his free time, Nick enjoys going on long runs and growing tomatoes.

About Max: Max McCarthy is a Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University where he studies populations of the rare Parnassia Mining Bee and the pollination ecology of their host plant, Parnassia. Even outside of research, he spends much of his time searching for poorly-known wild bee species in New Jersey and documenting their natural history through photography. When he’s not beewatching, Max can be found birding, playing ragtime piano music, and enjoying bee diversity vicariously by identifying observations on iNaturalist.

<h3>"Meet our moths!" Porch talk w/ Teá Montagna</h3>

About Teá: Teá Montagna is a PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her work focuses on the Sphingidae (Hawk Moths or Sphinx Moths), particularly on understanding the abundance and diversity of these organisms in urban environments. She is also a passionate taxonomist and has taken a particular interest in several closely related Sphingidae species and understanding how they are related. Teá has been looking at moths for about 20 years and has documented the life cycles of dozens of species, including many species of Sphingidae. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her myriad of house plants, as well as her garden of host plants for pollinators.

Ferry Schedule

Arrival for Check In @ Long Wharf

Ferry departs promptly at 12:30PM and does not wait for late arrivals. Please arrive at 12:00 PM for check in and boarding. 

Departure from Long Wharf

Arrive - Spectacle Island

This is the final boat of the day. All individuals should be safely boarded on returning ferry by 5:25PM for a prompt 5:30PM departure. 

Boarding for Departure from Spectacle

Return to Long Wharf 

Pollinator Safaris

Pollinator Safari 1

Pollinator Safari 2

Pollinator Safari 3

Porch Talks

Moth Porch Talk

Bee Porch Talk

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Spectacular Pollinators on Spectacle Island

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Spectacular Pollinators on Spectacle Island

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